The Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College prepares artists to succeed in the highly competitive world of theatre, television, and film.
Train with working professionals who have appeared on Broadway, on national tours, regionally, and in film and television.
Choose from five expedited degree programs that enable you to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in three years and two summers.
Experience multiple opportunities to express yourself on our mainstage and in our black box theatre.
Our intensive programs offer opportunities for aspiring actors, designers, technicians, and stage managers to build a strong technical skill set in their respective discipline and to garner extensive practical knowledge on how to navigate the current industry.
The Conservatory welcomes artists of all gender identities. We nurture talent in a diverse, welcoming environment.
Overview
Explore BFA Programs
Auditions and/or portfolios submissions are required for BFA Acting, BFA Musical Theatre, BFA Theatrical Costume Design, and BFA Technical Theatre & Stage Management. An audition/portfolio is not required for the BFA in Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies. Applications received without an accompanying audition or portfolio will automatically be considered for the Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies BFA.
The Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College cultivates these guiding principles within a safe, collaborative, and supportive environment.
Creating a strong community of artist-citizens
Encouraging critical thinking and creative exploration
Instilling an impeccable work ethic through rigorous training
Building skills for industry success
Guiding artists who are agents for social change
Promoting lifelong learning and artistic expression
A SNEAK PEEK AT MUSICAL THEATRE AT STEPHENS
Students have the opportunity to work with A-list guest artists in master classes and Q&A sessions. Recent guests include Sierra Boggess, Alex Brightman, Christy Altomare, Christiane Noll, John Bucchino, and Alan H. Green (just to name a few)
BFA Musical Theatre and Acting students participate in the Summer Performing Arts Intensive (SPAI).
Conservatory students have numerous opportunities to audition and perform at the Macklanburg Playhouse (mainstage), the Warehouse Theatre (black box), and the Okoboji Summer Theatre.
All BFA majors participate in at least one summer at the Okoboji Summer Theatre. Over the course of the summer, students have the opportunity to build their resumes, portfolios, and experience all aspect of a professional working theatre.
All students spend at least one summer as members of Stephens’ Okoboji Summer Theatre (OST) company, located in the lakeside resort community of Spirit Lake, Iowa. OST offers a highly immersive, comprehensive internship experience.
The education I have received at the Conservatory has been so instrumental in helping me reach my true potential, and I feel truly seen and cared for as an individual by all my professors. The time I’ve spent here is something I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Box Office Hours: 12-3 p.m. weekdays; September – May.
We offer general admission seating for all productions and a wide selection of concession items.
Every summer, OST Company welcomes professional guest artists, designers, directors, and staff to produce an unforgettable season of musicals and plays in Okoboji, Iowa.
Performing Arts alumni include television and film actor Stephanie Beatriz; television, film, and Broadway actor Annie Potts; stage manager Karyn Meek; voice actress Ginny McSwain; TV actress Judith Chapman; the late Dawn Wells of Gilligan’s Island fame; and many more.
Murder on the Orient Express is a thrilling play adapted from Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novel. The story unfolds aboard the luxurious Orient Express train,…
Snow White and Me Book by Philip LaZebnik and Ronald KruschakMusic and lyrics by Pippa ClearyAdditional Lyrics by Philip LaZebnik and Ronald Kruschak Snow White and Me is…
As the Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College gears up for its 77th season, exciting new developments are on the horizon. The Conservatory…
The Stephens College Costume Museum will display six iconic ensembles from designers like Lanvin and Chanel in the Saint Louis Art Museum's 2025 exhibition, "Roaring:…
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Darren Gibson recently returned from teaching at the IGNITE Musical Theatre Summer Intensive at Missouri State University, a program that provides rigorous training in acting,…
